Travel in Style with 10 Fresh Spring Accessories

Did you know that a few pretty Spring accessories can amp up your travel wardrobe without tipping the baggage scales? Yep. It’s the little things that make all the difference when it comes to traveling in style.

As it is, being part of the jet set comes with its own awesome skill set – understanding middle seat etiquette, getting the most mileage out of that carry-on space, and a carefully curated pile of tried-and-true clothes that don’t require any extra thought when they land in your suitcase.

The downside to being so streamlined however, is the lack of variety. Our favorite pieces don’t always make for the most practical of take-alongs, and packing too many extras could mean less room for treasures picked up along the way. Case in point: If I have to choose between packing tons of extra clothes from home just because and bringing home a gorgeous leather clutch plucked from the shops in and around the Spanish Steps… then I’d definitely rather have the extra room.

Good thing bright and bold accessories are an easy way to give the same old travel staples a pretty refresh perfect for any budget.

You’ll want to add these all to your must-have list immediately:

Some things to keep in mind: The key to making the flirty florals and vibrant colors wearable, is to choose functional pieces that travel well (not too bulky or prone to wrinkling) and are sturdy enough to stand the fast pace that comes with travel, and then mix in a little fun.

Lightweight scarves and sunglasses in unexpected patterns and prints are one of the easiest ways to give your suitcase style a welcome boost, and both always come in handy. Purely fun accessories like eclectic brooches, unusual earrings and layerable necklaces provide the whimsy that reminds us all of breezy spring weather, and since small, unobtrusive pieces can be tucked almost anywhere, you aren’t giving up any precious space in your luggage.

(From top: Antler Scarf, Multicolor Sunglasses with Metal Detail, Embroidered Floral Earrings, Monaco Blue Polymer Clay Brooch)

Mint, lace and laser cut pieces have all been making headlines since the snow first started melting, and incorporating them into your rotation of go-tos can be as easy as wearing a pair of lady-like socks or carrying a gorgeous weekender that combines fresh-from-the-fashion-runway looks and translates them into more approachable styles you’ll actually want to go back to again and again.

Juicy pops of color are a favorite way to punch up an outfit, and pieces like sky blue cardigans, sunshine yellow smoking flats and green-on-green packable rainboots (yes!) make getting dressed on the fly crazy fun. Promise.

Tip: Be sure to look for styles that can be matched up with your usual standbys (a coral-hued cardigan works equally well with jeans and a tee as it does a dark-colored fit-and-flare dress) and remember that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style.

You know, unless you want to.

(From top: Mint Lace Ankle Socks, Camille Laser Cut Satchel, Packable Rainboots,  Cobalt Crochet Women’s Classics, Little States Necklaces, Women’s Fine Gauge Supima Crew Cardigan.)

Now go add some color to your travel wardrobe!

Photo credits: Etsy, Fifth and Mae, Chicwish, Sole Society, TOMS, Land’s End, Puddletons. Please visit each link for individual proprietor attribution.

Pilar

A native of Chile with deep Chicago roots, Pilar and geekdom have been mutually exclusive since tight-rolled jeans and slap bracelets were in fashion, making it rather fitting she married a Star Wars nerd, made two nerdlets, and became the world’s okayest mom. An award-winning writer, social media strategist, photographer and geeky pop culturalist, her commentary has appeared in and on some cool sites like Babble, CNN, Huffington Post, Yahoo and Fandango (where she's Contributing Editor of the Family Room).